Rangers 4, Astros 1: Home team manages just four hits in loss

<b><center>May 20: Rangers 6, Astros 1</center></b> Astros' Justin Maxwell reacts after being called out on strikes by umpire Brian Runge in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

<b><center>May 20: Rangers 6, Astros 1</center></b> Astros' Justin Maxwell reacts after being called out on strikes by umpire Brian Runge in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler scores the first of five runs in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler scores the first of five runs in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Jordan Lyles pitches in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Astros Jordan Lyles pitches in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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Catcher Jason Castro approaches pitcher Jordan Lyles after Lyles hit the Rangers Yorvit Torrealba in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Catcher Jason Castro approaches pitcher Jordan Lyles after Lyles hit the Rangers Yorvit Torrealba in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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Center fielder Justin Maxwell bobbles the ball hit by Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis next to Right fielder Brian Bogusevic, left, in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

Center fielder Justin Maxwell bobbles the ball hit by Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis next to Right fielder Brian Bogusevic, left, in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Jordan Lyles stands on the mound after giving up five runs in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Astros Jordan Lyles stands on the mound after giving up five runs in the first inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Carlos Lee fumbles the Rangers Michael Young foul ball in front of the face of the Astros Jose Altuve in the second inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

The Astros Carlos Lee fumbles the Rangers Michael Young foul ball in front of the face of the Astros Jose Altuve in the second inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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Pitcher Jordan Lyles looks on as David Murphy rounds third base after he hit a home run in the fifth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Pitcher Jordan Lyles looks on as David Murphy rounds third base after he hit a home run in the fifth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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David Murphy is congratulated by manager Ron Washington, left, and Elvis Andrus, right, after Murphy hit a home run in the fifth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

David Murphy is congratulated by manager Ron Washington, left, and Elvis Andrus, right, after Murphy hit a home run in the fifth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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J.A. Happ is called out on strikes in the fifth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

J.A. Happ is called out on strikes in the fifth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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A fan catches a Carlos Lee foul ball behind the Texas Rangers dugout in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

A fan catches a Carlos Lee foul ball behind the Texas Rangers dugout in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Justin Maxwell watches the ball bounce off the plate before striking out in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Astros Justin Maxwell watches the ball bounce off the plate before striking out in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Justin Maxwell reacts after being called out on strikes by umpire Brian Runge in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Astros Justin Maxwell reacts after being called out on strikes by umpire Brian Runge in the seventh inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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Josh Hamilton watches his ball fall into the outfield for a single in the eighth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Josh Hamilton watches his ball fall into the outfield for a single in the eighth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Astros Carlos Lee gesture holds a tag onto the Texas Rangers Nelson Cruz, after he thought they had turned a double play in the ninth inning that was called as one out during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

The Astros Carlos Lee gesture holds a tag onto the Texas Rangers Nelson Cruz, after he thought they had turned a double play in the ninth inning that was called as one out during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Jose Altuve (27), Jed Lowrie (4), and Carlos Lee gesture to an umpire after they thought they had turned a double play in the ninth inning that was called as one out during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

The Astros Jose Altuve (27), Jed Lowrie (4), and Carlos Lee gesture to an umpire after they thought they had turned a double play in the ninth inning that was called as one out during the Houston Astros 6-1 ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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A fan catches the home run hit by the Astros Jed Lowrie as the Rangers Nelson Cruz attempts to make a play on the ball in the ninth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park Sunday. less

A fan catches the home run hit by the Astros Jed Lowrie as the Rangers Nelson Cruz attempts to make a play on the ball in the ninth inning during the Houston Astros 6-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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Texas Rangers fans stand and applaud the outing of starting picture Colby Lewis after he was taken out in the ninth inning during the Rangers 6-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Texas Rangers fans stand and applaud the outing of starting picture Colby Lewis after he was taken out in the ninth inning during the Rangers 6-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Astros Chris Snyder sits with his hands on his head in the dugout in the ninth inning during the Texas Rangers 6-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Astros Chris Snyder sits with his hands on his head in the dugout in the ninth inning during the Texas Rangers 6-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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The Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton high-fives teammate Michael Young while celebrating their 6-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton high-fives teammate Michael Young while celebrating their 6-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park Sunday.

The tipping point: The Astros loaded the bases against Neftali Feliz with one out in the second inning on a single, a walk and a hit batsman, only to have Wandy Rodriguez strike out and Jordan Schafer fly out on a 3-1 count. Though Feliz threw more balls (51) than strikes (50) and allowed nine base runners in 4 2/3 innings, the Astros only got to him for one third-inning run.

On the mound: Wandy Rodriguez labored through six innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits to raise his ERA from 1.99 to 2.24. Fernando Rodriguez showed some electric stuff in two innings of relief, striking out four, but he did allow a home run to Adrian Beltre.

At the plate: The Astros managed only four hits – only one the final 4 1/3 innings against relievers Robbie Ross, Koji Uehara and Joe Nathan. After pushing across a run on Jed Lowrie’s infield single in the third inning, the Astros had only one at-bat with a man in scoring position the rest of the game.

Under the radar: Astros manager Brad Mills received a short-term gain by intentionally walking No. 8 hitter Craig Gentry to get to the pitcher’s spot with a runner on second and two outs in the second inning. The move also led to leadoff man Ian Kinsler leading off the third with a double that ignited a two-run rally that put the Rangers ahead for good.